{"id":23915,"date":"2021-04-10T07:15:37","date_gmt":"2021-04-10T14:15:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelingboy.com\/travel\/?p=23915"},"modified":"2021-04-10T07:21:35","modified_gmt":"2021-04-10T14:21:35","slug":"april-2021-eclectic-news-articles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travelingboy.com\/travel\/april-2021-eclectic-news-articles\/","title":{"rendered":"April 2021 Eclectic News Articles"},"content":{"rendered":"

Designer Becca Saladin Reimagines Famous Historical Figures as Modern People Living Today<\/h1>\n
\"Julius
Julius Caesar digitally reimagined by Becca Saladin<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Courtesy of\u00a0Jessica Stewart<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

From Julius Caesar to Anne Boleyn, Becca Saladin spends hours modernizing historical figures through expert digital manipulation.<\/p>\n

First, a little about graphic designer Becca Saladin.<\/p>\n

As the daughter of two teachers, graphic designer Becca Saladin has always loved history. Now, she’s combined her talents in graphic design with her thirst for learning to create\u00a0Royalty Now<\/a>. This fascinating Instagram account shows off her skills in transforming famous figures throughout history into modern characters you’d see walking the streets today. From Julius Caesar and Cleopatra to Queen Elizabeth I and Prince Albert, these historical greats get new life thanks to Saladin’s work.<\/p>\n

Saladin’s adventure with history started a year ago. On a day when she had some free time, she decided to see what her favorite historical figure, Anne Boleyn, would look like with modern hair and makeup. \u201cI put her in a modern outfit, painted on her eyelashes, eyebrows, and makeup, and was excited by what I saw,\u201d Saladin tells My Modern Met. \u201cShe became much more relatable to me after that creation. After that, I started doing more of my favorite figures, and started the Instagram as a way to share my work with fellow history lovers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Each portrait takes quite a bit of research, with Saladin focusing in particular on the eyes, skin, and hair. While she does her best to find as much information as possible about each person, sometimes it’s just not possible. For instance, Cleopatra, while one of the most requested characters for Saladin to work on, was very difficult to create because historians know very little about her appearance. In cases like these, Saladin is forced to make creative choices.<\/p>\n

So how does she work her magic? When working on Egyptian and ancient Roman busts, the portrait is built up piece by piece. \u201cThe way I reconstruct the portrait busts is by using bits of other images\u2014noses, eyes, lips, etc. from other sources and manipulating them so they fit together and so that they fit the subject,\u201d she reveals. \u201cMany times I’m digitally painting in details like eyeshadow, eyelashes, eyebrows, wrinkles, and skin color. It takes a long time to get it all to look like it makes sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the end, all the work is worth it to make history come alive and these great historical figures more relatable. Looking at her work, we truly understand why Nefertiti was known as a great beauty. And in examining the beautiful royal trio of King Louis XV and his two mistresses\u2014Madame de Pompadour and Madame du Barry\u2014we can see why they were the talk of Europe in their day. Other updates result in portraits that bear a resemblance to famous celebrities of today. For instance, Napoleon looks a bit like Quentin Tarantino and the ancient Roman Emperor Augustus could be Jude Law’s younger cousin.<\/p>\n

Live Again<\/h3>\n

Take a stroll through history to see more incredible contemporary transformations by Becca Saladin and follow her on\u00a0Royalty Now<\/a>\u00a0to see who she’ll reimagine next.<\/p>\n

\"Napoleon
Napoleon Bonaparte digitally reimagined by Becca Saladin<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cleopatra
Cleopatra digitally reimagined by Becca Saladin<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Alexander
Alexander the Great digitally reimagined by Becca Saladin<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Mona
Mona Lisa digitally reimagined by Becca Saladin<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Queen
Queen Elizabeth I digitally reimagined by Becca Saladin<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Caligula
Caligula digitally reimagined by Becca Saladin<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Anne
Anne Boleyn digitally reimagined by Becca Saladin<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Augustus
Augustus digitally reimagined by Becca Saladin<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n

Why Costa Rica Is One of the Best Vacation Destinations in the World<\/h1>\n
\"a
PHOTO COURTESY OF DEB ROSKAMP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the rainforests to the beaches, these are the top reasons you need to visit Costa Rica.<\/p>\n

Courtesy Andrea Romano<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Arenal
In 1968 the Arenal Volcano violently erupted, burying almost six sq. miles under rocks, lava and ash; eventually killing 87 people and destroying three small villages. I met a travel writer who\u2019s been to Arenal three times, but has never actually seen the volcano due to cloud cover. Color me lucky. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEB ROSKAMP.<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/a>It\u2019s no wonder, considering that there\u2019s literally\u00a0something for everyone<\/a>\u00a0when you plan a getaway there. Costa Rica is known for its incredible\u00a0national parks, where tourists can enjoy some thrilling activities like river rafting, canyoning, cave tubing, and zip lining. It\u2019s also one of the best places for animal lovers to discover some interesting wildlife like macaws, sea turtles, and adorable sloths.<\/p>\n

And if you\u2019re just looking to relax, there\u2019s no better place to go than a pristine beach resort or a five-star spa near one of the country\u2019s many hot springs. You can work on your tan, get a massage, go swimming and surfing, or relax in a geothermal pool, all within one vacation.<\/p>\n

The best time to visit is generally between December and April, though the Caribbean side of the country is particularly beautiful in October. Many airlines are beginning to offer non-stop routes to the country, but it has always been a quick hop, skip, and a jump from the United States.<\/p>\n

If you still need a little convincing as to why this Central American nation will make a\u00a0life-changing vacation<\/a>, take a look at these amazing reasons to visit Costa Rica.<\/p>\n

Volcanoes<\/h3>\n

There are currently six active and over 60 dormant or extinct volcanoes in this relatively small, Central American country. Arenal Volcano is one of Costa Rica\u2019s most popular attractions, especially for people want to hike its rugged terrain or take a dip in the soothing geothermal hot springs. There are lots of spas and resorts in the area that take advantage of the natural hot waters.<\/p>\n

National Parks<\/h3>\n

According to\u00a0Culture Trip<\/a>, Costa Rica is home to 27 national parks and five percent of the world\u2019s biodiversity. But it\u2019s not all just jungles. It\u2019s also cloud forests, swamps, coral reefs, dry forests, and rainforests. One of the best things to do in Costa Rica is to take a hike on one of these protected lands, especially\u00a0Tenorio Volcano National Park<\/a>, where you can see the stunning Rio Celeste waterfall.<\/p>\n

Biodiverse Wildlife<\/h3>\n
\"mangrove
Left: Conchita Jungle Tours. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEB ROSKAMP. Right: The majority of the Howler Monkey’s time is spent relaxing; they are said to be among the least active of all monkeys. They can live to be approximately 20 years old. The biggest, strongest male usually leads a troop of 15-20 other Howlers which includes males, females and babies. PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMES BOITANO.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

According to\u00a0CostaRica.org<\/a>, over 30 percent of the country is dedicated to national parks, which means there are lots of places for animal populations to thrive. And pretty much anywhere you go, there\u2019s some wildlife to discover. There are over 500,000 species of animals, including scarlet macaws, howler monkeys, colorful butterflies, humpback whales, iguanas, sea turtles, and sloths to meet while you\u2019re there.<\/p>\n

Birdwatching<\/h3>\n
\"toucan
Six toucan species are found in the lowlands and rainforests of Costa Rica. Their long bills can reach fruit and berries from thin branches. The bills are hollow but extremely tough allowing toucans to defend themselves from predators. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEB ROSKAMP.<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And speaking of wildlife, Costa Rica is arguably one of the capitals for birdwatching. It\u2019s particularly great if you\u2019re looking to catch a glimpse of one of the endless different species of birds that live there Some of the types of birds you could encounter include the violet sabrewing, the coppery-headed emerald, and the magenta-throated woodstar.<\/p>\n

Adventures<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re looking for lots of thrilling outdoor activities, look no further. No matter what kind of adventure you\u2019re into, you can probably find it in Costa Rica. There are dozens of tour companies that specialize in river rafting, fishing, ATV driving, scuba diving, tubing, horseback riding, and even zip lining through the rainforest. There are also plenty of places to go hiking, surfing, and swimming.<\/p>\n

Food<\/h3>\n
\"casada
Patacones are twice fried plantains, and offer a real taste of Costa Rica. A casada serves as a midday set-meal of rice and black beans, cabbage and tomato salad, fried platanos and your choice of either beef, chicken, pork, or fish. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEB ROSKAMP.<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Costa Rica is one of those forgotten foodie destinations that people often overlook. Some of the\u00a0most popular dishes<\/a>\u00a0include pejibayes (peach palm fruits), vuelve a la vida (similar to ceviche), and arreglados (a type of sandwich). San Jos\u00e9 has been gaining popularity as a hip city for young chefs and craft brewers as well.<\/p>\n

Beaches<\/h3>\n
\"Tamarindo
Left: Tamarindo Beach, on the northwest Pacific Coast, can be crowed, but there are still wide-open spaces for a tranquil stroll on the beach. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEB ROSKAMP. Right: That\u2019s world class surfing instructor, Jorge Rivas, negotiating a wave of his choice. PHOTO COURTESY OF JORGE ALONSO STAHEL.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It\u2019s been established that Costa Rica cares about its environment and makes big efforts to protect its national parklands. Same goes for the beaches, too. Because of this, the country has more than\u00a0800 miles<\/a>\u00a0of pristine, beautiful shoreline on both the Pacific and Caribbean sides of the country. Tamarindo, one of Guanacaste Province\u2019s most popular beaches, is especially good for surfing and spotting sea turtles.<\/p>\n

World-Class Resorts<\/h3>\n

With such lovely beaches, rainforests, and hot springs at their finger tips, Costa Rica isn\u2019t just a rugged vacation for adventure seekers. It\u2019s also the perfect place for a relaxing spa getaway. The area around Arenal Volcano is especially popular for its\u00a0luxury resorts and spas<\/a>\u00a0that offer comfortable dips in the natural hot springs.\u00a0Beach resorts<\/a>\u00a0are also growing in popularity in the area, with easy beach access and five-star accommodations for people who aren\u2019t interested in \u201croughing it\u201d.<\/p>\n

Coffee<\/h3>\n
\"coffee
The rich coffee fields of Monteverde. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEB ROSKAMP.<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some of the best coffee in the world comes from Costa Rica, so it\u2019s a java lovers paradise. By some estimates, Costa Ricans\u00a0drink about six cups of coffee<\/a>\u00a0per day, and it\u2019s one of the main drivers for the country\u2019s economy. Needless to say, you can probably find a good cup of joe or bag of coffee beans while you\u2019re here.<\/p>\n

Happiness<\/h3>\n

One of the best-known Costa Rican mottos is \u201cpura vida<\/a>,\u201d which means \u201cpure life.\u201d And Costa Ricans really take this to heart. The cultures and the people are quite diverse, but many like to live by this simple sensibility to live life to the fullest, and this is probably why the country is considered the happiest, according to the\u00a0Happy Planet Index<\/a>. The phrase is also used as a greeting or as an answer when someone asks, \u201cHow are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

It Will Take 20M Antibacterial Wipes to Clean the World\u2019s Biggest Theme Park!<\/h1>\n
\"Chimelong
The world’s largest aquarium, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China\u2019s Disney World will cost $17m and 20.7 million antibacterial wipes to clean! PHOTO BY SHASHA ZHUHAI, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Courtesy Laura Solloway<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Online interest in theme parks has increased by 65% in the past three months, as we get excited for whenever restrictions will ease.<\/p>\n

Whilst theme parks must prepare for their reopening, they also must ensure they\u2019re cleaned from top to bottom \u2013 but just how much will this cost?<\/p>\n

OnBuy.com<\/a> crunched the numbers to find the costs of cleaning ten of the biggest theme parks in the world!<\/p>\n

RESULTS:<\/p>\n